3 Best Moving Companies | How We Chose | Best Overall | Best for Trusted Reputation | Best for Long Distance Moving | Cost of Movers | Avoiding Scams
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In Irvine, hiring a mover for a three-bedroom home costs an average of $1,433. This may seem expensive, but it's quite a bit less than the national average of $1,963. Many people find the convenience of moving services worth the cost.
To move everything in a three-bedroom home, you'll need four movers working for about eight hours. The movers will pack your belongings, load the truck, deliver everything to your new home, and unpack it. Your costs will include about $50 per mover per hour, a charge for the truck, the cost of packing supplies, and a 10–20% tip.
We assessed 1,000 local moving companies in Irvine and found the top three to help make your next move easier.
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3 Best Moving Companies in Irvine (at a Glance)
| Company | What We Like | Avg. Customer Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Affordable Moving - SoCal | Best Overall | 4.7 (1476 reviews) |
| Mission Movers | Best for Trusted Reputation | 5.0 (1085 reviews) |
| Pro Movers | Best for Long Distance Moving | 4.2 (1346 reviews) |
How We Chose the Companies on This List
Our team spent over 100 hours researching moving companies across the United States. We started with a list of more than 25,000 moving companies, then narrowed it down by eliminating companies that:
- Were not registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA)
- Had fewer than 10 customer reviews
- Didn’t have a website
- Had a relatively high number of safety and service violations according to the FMCSA
The remaining companies were ranked based on the following metrics:
- 5x: Average customer rating across all platforms (Yelp, Google, Angi, etc.)
- 4x: Total number of customer reviews (more reviews indicates a more reliable average rating)
- 3x: Total count of out-of-service violations (as indicated by the FMCSA)
- 2x: How many drivers a company has on staff per vehicles it has registered
- 1x: Whether a company is full-service or only offers labor services
Each metric was normalized and then graded on a 100-point scale. The combined weighted average of the scores determined the final ranking score.
We also mystery-shopped to gather quotes from more than 150 moving companies and surveyed our team members — who have moved more than 300 times collectively — on what was most important to them when choosing a moving company.
Who Should Use a Full-Service Mover?
We recommend full-service movers for people who can budget at least $300 for a one-bedroom apartment and at least $1,600 for a three-bedroom home.
Full-service is helpful if you have large, complicated things to move, can’t carry heavy stuff, or have a busy schedule (which may include closing on your new home). Likewise, if you don’t have friends and family available to help, hiring experts can make your move much quicker.
Full-service moving typically includes:
- Packing your items
- Disassembling furniture
- Loading the truck with your items
- Delivery to your new home
- Reassembling furniture
If you feel comfortable doing some of the heavy lifting and driving yourself, consider DIY moving or using labor-only movers who help you load your rented truck. DIY will certainly save you money (but maybe not your back).
3 Best Moving Companies in Irvine
1. Affordable Moving - SoCal: Best Overall
Affordable Moving is the best overall mover in Irvine because it has solid reviews, a wide range of moving services, and competitive rates. In company reviews, satisfied customers repeatedly mentioned Affordable Moving’s great communication and fast work; some reviewers were also repeat customers.
Whatever you need, Affordable can probably handle it. This company offers basics like residential and commercial moves, long-distance interstate moves, storage services, labor-only moves, packing services, and even car shipping!
Finally, Affordable Moving earned a medium reliability rating from us since the company maintains a single registered driver for their single vehicle.
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⚡ Quick Tip: We recommend getting custom quotes from independent moving brokers. These services are free to use with no obligation and make it easy to compare multiple options to find the best fit and value. Get instant quotes here. |
2. Mission Movers: Best for Trusted Reputation
Mission Movers boasts a perfect five out of five rating based on well over a thousand reviews. Reviewers repeatedly mentioned courteous, friendly movers and great communication with management.
Mission offers a modest variety of services, including local residential and commercial moves, long-distance moving, furniture disassembly and assembly, and moving supply rental. White glove service is also available.
We rated Mission Movers as a medium reliability mover since it employs three registered drivers for its fleet of three vehicles. You shouldn't have too much trouble scheduling your move during busy periods.
3. Pro Movers: Best for Long Distance Moving
Pro Movers offers long-distance interstate moving from California to 46 U.S. states, so wherever you’re going, Pro Movers can probably take you there. It uses its own employees (no day laborers or contractors) and guarantees the best long-distance moving rates.
This company has very solid reviews, too. Satisfied customers noted Pro Movers’ punctuality and fast work. They also said the company was very flexible and accommodating when it came to unpacked items and unplanned stops. The occasional negative review mentioned upcharges and lateness.
Besides long-distance moving, Pro Movers offers residential and commercial local moves, packing and labor services, storage, and “celebrity moves.”
Pro Movers is rated as a high reliability mover since it employs a single registered driver for its single moving vehicle.
Next Steps: Compare Moving Companies in Irvine
How Much Do Movers Cost in Irvine?
The average cost of professional full-service movers in Irvine is $302 for a studio apartment and $1,433 for a 3-bedroom home. Larger homes are even more expensive, with a 5-bedroom home costing about $1,639. If you're moving long distance or out of state, expect to pay even more.
Full-service moving rates can vary widely depending on the specifics of your move. Reach out to a moving company for an accurate quote.
Typical Cost Breakdown
The cost of your full-service move depends primarily on four key factors:
- Size of your home
- Number of movers and hours you’ll need them
- Driving distance from door to door
- Charge for use of truck (if not included in hourly rate)
At base, most companies charge an hourly rate per mover, then tack on additional fees for other factors.
| Don’t forget to tip 💸
It’s common courtesy to tip your movers 10–20% of the total cost. For a three-bedroom home, that could be upwards of $300. |
Other Things That Could Increase Your Cost
Circumstances and challenges specific to your move could cost you more money.
| 🕰️ Timing |
Companies often charge higher rates for weekends, holidays, and jobs that require movers to work overtime. |
| 🎹 Specialty items |
Moving pianos or other heavy and awkward pieces might require additional time and movers. |
| 🧳 Packing supplies |
Extra bubble wrap for fragile items, large wardrobe boxes for clothes, and other packing supplies can add up. Save by providing your own. |
| 📦 Unpacking service |
Some companies offer unpacking as part of full-service moving. You can save money by doing this yourself. |
| 🏢 Difficult circumstances |
Stairs, narrow hallways, elevators, and distant parking can incur additional time and fees. |
| 🗝️ Storage |
If your new home isn’t ready, you’ll need to store your items until you can move in. |
| 🛡️ Insurance |
If your renters or homeowners insurance policy doesn’t cover transport of your possessions, you can buy insurance from your moving company or a third party. |
How to Get a Quote
You can get a quote from most movers by calling or filling out an online form to provide details about your home.
For the most accurate estimate, ask the mover to stop by your home in person or virtually to take a look at your belongings. This will allow the mover to take note of more complicated items, such as antique furniture or extra heavy items.
Alternatively, a moving broker can do the work for you, providing a quote from a carrier in your area.
How to Avoid Moving Company Scams
Check your mover’s Federal registration. You can check the company’s registration, violations, and complaint history by searching on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website.
Look for complaints on the Better Business Bureau website. Searching the company’s BBB profile can give you an idea of what kinds of complaints have been filed against the company and how the business resolved them.
Understand your rights and responsibilities. By law, every interstate mover must provide documentation about your rights as a consumer and the mover’s responsibilities. Make sure you read it carefully!
Know about your insurance options. If you’re moving within the same state, your mover may offer you coverage, or you can purchase a moving insurance policy independently. According to Federal law, interstate movers must offer two different types of valuation coverage: full value protection and released value.
If you notice one or more of these red flags when researching a moving company, it's probably best to avoid it.
How Far in Advance Should I Reach Out to a Mover in Irvine?
If you're moving locally within Irvine, look for a moving company about one month before your move — or two months ahead of time if you plan to move during the peak season of May through August. For interstate moves, start looking two to three months out, depending on the season.Sources
We drew from the following sources to write this article:
- “What is the Cost to Move in Irvine,” moveBuddha
- “Here’s How to Determine How Many Movers You Need for Your Next Move,” Angi
- “How Many Movers Do I Need?” moveBuddha
- “Liability and Protection,” Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- “Spot the Red Flags,” Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
